Are you happy to see me, or is that just your Exubera Bong?

"Because for any PWD [person with diabetes] with an actual social life, Exubera inhaled insulin is looking like a bomb. As I told the reps at the ADA conference frankly, the science behind it IS revolutionary, and we PWDs are grateful for strides in alternative insulin delivery, of course! But the Exubera Inhaler Device really is as bad as it looks in pictures. Worse, because the bulky "white" plastic portions are not white at all, but that hospital-grade biege that reminds you of walkers and bedpans. An aesthetic nightmare, in the age of cool gadgetry." (See "Exubera 'Bong' OK for Older Folks?")

Recently, Amy quipped "Are you happy to see me, or is that just your Exubera Bong?"

My advice to the people working on the DTC campaign: Don't use the video you have on the Exubera Web site showing someone using the device in a restaurant! I don't think it shows the device in the best possible light.

BTW, if the device fails as an insulin delivery system, Pfizer no doubt has plans to use the technology for other drugs. Here's a billion dollar idea: develop a version for delivery of "medical" marijuana and then lobby in support of the legalization of marijuana! Now that would make us old folks happy to see ya!

1 comment:

I find this post particularly interesting in the background of an article that I just read on innovation (about the Big I and small I concepts) at Knowledge at Wharton.http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/

In this article at Knowledge at Wharton there is an analysis on how companies prefer small incremental innovations for obtaining organic growth as it requires less risk and has less uncertainties. In fact, breakthrough results are just not possible thanks to the play safe attitude of enterprises.

It is indeed challenging to innovate and make innovations work ie convert them in to concrete business results. The article reflects the fact that there are no shortcuts to make significant gains!

Exubera will get shortcircuited in the market if it was innovated with a small i thinking. - Sunil S Chiplunkar www.pharmaceuticalshealthcare.blogspot.com

About the Author

Pharmaguy™ (@pharmaguy) is a "constructive critic" of the pharmaceutical industry. He is not shy about giving his opinion, which is respected by many insiders who share some of his views but who are unable to voice them on their own.